A few billion years ago, the hunter and gatherers of the Palaeolithic era did not have the skill to farm or process food. They survived on hunting, fishing, and gathering wild plants and animals to satisfy their hunger.
The 21st century paleo diet asserts that optimal health is fulfilled by adopting the diet of Palaeolithic hunter and gatherers. This belief stems from the idea that the human body is naturally designed for this lifestyle.
Followers of this diet stick to the kind of food that could have been available for the Palaeolithic people. “The paleo diet includes whole, unprocessed foods like vegetables, nuts, seeds, and meat,” says Vidhyapriya.
This diet is low in carbohydrates, high in protein and moderate in unsaturated fats. It restricts high glycaemic index foods, those high in fibre and low in sodium and refined sugars.
Inputs from Vidhyapriya R, consultant dietitian from Bengaluru
Upshots in following the paleo diet
Vidhyapriya notes that adhering to any diet, like the paleo diet, that omits a particular food group for the long term makes its sustenance a challenge. She adds, “the micronutrient uptake is hampered as a result of imbalanced intake of macros.” The may result in deficiencies and eventually cost you extra expense on supplements and hospital visits.
Evidence abounds that carbohydrates are a vital source of energy. Several health complications may arise when carbohydrates are exempted from the diet. “Very low-carb diets like keto and paleo may result in fatigue, hunger, constipation, and headache, which may or may not subside eventually,” says Vidhyapriya.
Read more on keto and paleo diets here
